Addressing the Indian diaspora at a function organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in Berlin last night, he said the Congress's thought of "unity in diversity" came from the times of Guru Nanak Dev. Taking on the BJP-led NDA government in India, Gandhi said while long speeches were being given and hatred was being generated, farmers continued to commit suicide and youngsters were unable to see a future for themselves.
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BJP's reaction
Retaliated to the statement given by Gandhi in Germany, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi today said, "Not only India, Congress has divided everything in this country." He further said, "Rahul Gandhi has proved that he is the wisest fool in the Congress."
He called Gandhi is incapable of playing the role as a leader of opposition in the party. "Rahul Gandhi is incapable of playing a positive and constructive and a mature role as a leader of opposition in the party," Trivedi said in a press conference in Delhi.
Citing ISIS, Rahul says exclusion of people leads to insurgency
Rahul Gandhi also cited the example of Islamic State terrorist group to say that exclusion of a large number of people from the development process could lead to the creation of insurgent groups anywhere in the world. He said the BJP government has excluded tribals, Dalits, and minorities from the development narrative and "this could be a dangerous thing". "It is very dangerous in the 21st century to exclude people," he said.
BJP's reaction
Reacting on which the BJP accused Gandhi of belittling and insulting India in his address. The party alleged that the Congress president tried to justify terrorism and "lied through his teeth" to attack the Narendra Modi government.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra sought the Congress chief's apology on his comments on a range of issues, claiming that he presented India in a bad light by allegedly blaming the country's culture for violence against women.
Gandhi on lynching in India
• Rahul Gandhi linked the incidents of lynching in India to joblessness and the lack of opportunities for the poor who, he said, were not being given equal opportunities.
• He said the incidents of lynching were a result of the anger emanating from joblessness and destruction of small businesses due to demonetisation and poorly implemented Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Gandhi on India's foreign policy
• Outlining his idea of India's foreign policy, Gandhi said there are different visions in the world, including that of the US, China and India.
• He said India's role should be to balance the US and China - much like Europe's role.
(With inputs from PTI)